Zachodniaja Biarezina (207)
Belarus, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Zachodniaja Biarezina
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.8333, Longitude: 26.1000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 128 to 146
Area of KBA (km2): 93.17549
Protected area coverage (%): 13.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The flood-plain of the middle reaches of the West Beresina river (a lowland tributary of the Neman river), still in a predominantly natural and intact state. Alluvial Quercus forests, Salix thickets and wet meadows dominate the landscape. Land-uses include haymaking and cattle-grazing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: The river holds the highest density of Alcedo atthis in Belarus. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (min. 20 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | forestry (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Forest | 80 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is from drainage, and from canalization of the upper river-bed, which together have resulted in lower water-levels on the river. A small part of the flood-plain is included in the State National Nature Reserve (Zakaznik).